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Suicide Threats Spark Anticipatory Grief

Posted on February 17, 2016 - by Harriet Hodgson

A friend of mine has a suicidal daughter and worries about her constantly. The daughter attempted suicide once, and has threatened it many times. “When I wake up in the morning, I wonder if this will be the day she succeeds,” the mother explained. She has nightmares about her daughter and feels totally helpless. If your loved one is suicidal you may have similar feelings. You may be so worried that you are unaware of your anticipatory grief—a feeling of loss before a dreaded event or death occurs. All you know is that life is different, dark, and bleak. Without […]

Maddi The Therapy Dog

Posted on February 16, 2016 - by Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley

Maddi, therapy dog extraordinaire, is part of The Dougy Center in Portland, Oregon. Under Dr. Donna Shuurman, CEO of the center, this is a space for kids, teens, and their families to be surrounded by their peers and plenty of empathy. The Dougy Center is for children ages three through 18, young adults, and their families. It’s a space where nobody tries to “make it all better,” but instead listens, empathizes, and allows everyone to follow their own grief journey. There are many activities and resources to help with healing, including a thriving art therapy program. However, perhaps one of […]

Putting the House Back Together Afterward

Posted on February 15, 2016 - by Anne Jennings

Note: My book, Belongings, seeks to understand the connection bereaved people have with their loved one’s personal belongings. Here is an excerpt. Putting the House Back Together Creatively Take a few deep breaths and use the grounding technique any time you feel tired. Changing your living environment can be daunting, but at the same time getting creative helps to break out of your sorrow. You are strong. Congratulate yourself on creating a clean, fresh home filled with photos of happy people, gifts that recall fun moments, healthy colourful pot plants at the door, and a place where everyone can relax […]

Jake Abbott: Creative Expression and Art Therapy for Children

Posted on February 15, 2016 - by Heidi Horsley

Jake Abbott works with the Seattle-based non-profit organization, , which offers creative therapy for bereaved children. He was interviewed by Dr. Gloria Horsley and says his organization publishes books that help with art therapy. Blending narrative, art and cognitive based therapy was the driving force behind five books that help children handle trauma. Bullying, divorce and, of course, death are all traumatic events. Finding hope after loss is challenging for everyone, including children. One tip Abbott offers is identifying partnerships and resources that specialize in child therapy. Art with Heart builds partnerships with local hospitals, focusing on everything from doodling […]

Valentine’s Day Message: It Does Get Better

Posted on February 14, 2016 - by Cathy Seehuetter

Valentine’s Day 1995: I had just sat down at my desk in my home office for a busy day work-wise when the phone rang. It was Nina calling me from Park High School. “Mom, you have to help me. I need to have something for Chris (her new boyfriend) for Valentine’s Day. I am pretty sure that he got me something and I really want to get him something too.” Furthermore, she knew exactly what she wanted: glow in the dark stars, like the ones she had on her bedroom ceiling. The place to find them was at Spencer’s Gifts […]

Diana Wright: TAPS Youth Programs

Posted on February 13, 2016 - by Heidi Horsley

The recent National Alliance for Grieving Children conference brought together Dr. Heidi Horsley and Diana Wright of TAPS Youth Programs. She’s been a volunteer for five years, and came on staff as a programs coordinator. She first learned about TAPS in 2007, and learned how incredible the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors is for bereaved military members and their families. She started volunteering and found a path of healing after her son died in the military. It took six months after his death before she started actively looking for grief support. Both of Wright’s children have died, and this has […]

Celebration of Sisters: Full Circle After 30 Years

Posted on February 13, 2016 - by Judy Lipson

Celebration of Sisters, an annual ice skating fundraiser to honor and commemorate the lives and memories of my sisters Jane E. Lipson and Marjorie E. Lipson to benefit The John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital. Ice skating is my passion, solace, peace, and where I have come full circle in my grief to remember and pay tribute to my sisters. I lost my beloved sister Jane at age 22 in an automobile accident in 1981, and my beloved sister Margie at age 35 in 1990 after a 20-year battle with anorexia and bulimia. My […]

Michelle Post: Tissue Donation

Posted on February 12, 2016 - by Gloria Horsley

During the National Alliance for Grieving Children Conference, Dr. Gloria Horsley talks with Michelle Post of One Legacy. Michelle manages families who have donated tissue via their family members who have died. There’s a lot of angst around this. The human body deteriorates quickly after death, and it’s uncomfortable to be the one making this decision for a deceased family member. Donation isn’t for everyone, but most people think that if their loved one can help someone and continue a legacy in the life of someone else, the loved one would want to do that. Many people make their intentions […]

Grief Assessment: How am I Doing?

Posted on February 11, 2016 - by Harriet Hodgson

My elder daughter died in 2007 from the injuries she received in a car crash. Oddly, she died on the 23rd day of the month, the same day she was born. Each year, as I approach the anniversary of her death, I pause and take some time to assess my grief journey. This year is no different. In a few days I start the ninth year without my daughter. How am I doing? All in all, I think I’m doing surprisingly well. Like you, I didn’t choose this journey, but I’m here, and trying to make the most of my […]

Janet McCord: Marian University’s Thanatology Graduate Program

Posted on February 11, 2016 - by Gloria Horsley

While at the National Alliance for Grieving Children conference, Dr. Gloria Horsley connects with Janet McCord of Marian University. The Thanatology Graduate Program focuses on death and dying. Located in Wisconsin, it’s a fully online program that offers people the opportunity to complete it remotely. You’re required to have a bachelor’s degree and a strong interest in the grief and bereavement field. Sometimes those with a loss are discouraged to do anything with it. You’re supposed to get over it, move on, and get some closure. However, many in the graduate program have had a major loss—some very traumatic. They […]